Categories
MothsUnderwing Moth?
This pretty fellow was in my yard at Lava Beds National Monument, northern California. He’s about the size of a quarter. I assume he’s some kind of underwing moth, but I’m otherwise completely stumped! Help?
Dave
Hi Dave,
We believe this is one of the Geometrid Moths in the family Geometridae. We were unable to locate it on the Moth Photographers Group website and have only done a quick search of BugGuide. We are late for work and are convinced that if a reader has not written in with a correct answer, we should be able to get you an answer when time permits.
Update: (11/16/2007)
This striking diurnal geometrid goes by the name of Dasyfidonia avuncularia. A similar species, described in 1935, also occurs in California: D. macdunnoughi has more white mottling in the basal part of the forewing, and the outer (postmedian) angled line in the hindwing is reduced to a blur. Photos of both species may be found at: http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/Files/32/West32.5.shtml To see some of the documented distribution of both species in California, and thousands of other moths, check out the California Moth Specimen Database at: http://essigdb.berkeley.edu/calmoth.html
Julian P. Donahue
Assistant Curator Emeritus, Entomology
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
I like ThisRelated Posts
-
(02/16/2006)Geometrid Moth -
(06/09/2008)Unknown Diurnal Moth from Colorado is Bl... -
(05/15/2008)Geometrid, not Unknown Tiger Moth from O... -
(08/05/2006)Unknown Chinese Saturnid Moth identified...
Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. You can also subscribe without commenting.
Post a Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.